Chapter Text
Isabel French always had dreams bigger than the quaint little town of Storybrooke, Maine. As a little girl all she wanted to be was an adventurer like the ones in the books she read. She had made plans to set off and see the world once she turned eighteen, the eagerly anticipated day a beacon of light in an otherwise dull existence. She got a job as soon as she turned fourteen, and she had started to steadily save up her money.
Everything changed when her father invested in the stock market. He lost all of his own savings that allowed for a life of modest comfort, and he turned to his daughter for help. She'd been seventeen and a half then, and she had of course loaned him enough money to meet his rent. Just one week of borrowing turned to two, which quickly turned to a month. Before Isabel knew it, all of her adventure savings were spent. By eighteen she had nothing due to assisting her father each week.
She knew she would never get her adventure and that her fate was to remain in town, taking care of her financially irresponsible father. She worked at the animal hospital as an assistant and although she loved animals, it was fairly dull work that paled in comparison to exploring the United Kingdom's national library or the Palace of Versailles. All she did was fill out charts, answer phones, file papers, and feed the resident cat, a small three legged tabby named Dazzle. It wasn't what she wanted, but she supposed she should be grateful to have a job.
Things had been exactly the same for as long as she could remember. Everybody knew everybody in Storybrooke, and nothing overly interesting ever happened. There weren't ever any new faces, and no one ever seemed to leave. It only made Isabel all the more restless.
Since she was a little girl she had always lacked a sense of belonging. She had few friends, and was considered slightly odd by some. She was always wise beyond her years and as a result hadn't gotten along well with the other children. Even when she was alone, Isabel never felt lonely. She just felt an emptiness in her heart, one she couldn't explain.
Isabel sighed wistfully as she turned the page of her adventure novel, barely hearing the doorbell as it rang. Her father was home and would get it, so she remained curled in her reading nook. She pulled the soft blanket around her shoulder more snug, sighing at the constant chill present in her house. Her father would scrimp on heating to save money, only to waste the savings away.
Isabel perked up as her father raised his voice, clearly rather angry at whoever was inside the house. She marked her place in the worn novel, closing it gently and setting it on the cushion. She removed her blanket and stood up, walking the short distance down the hall to the top of the stairs. The old floorboards creaked beneath her bare feet, painted toes curling from the chill of the hardwood. She could hear her father's loud voice without any trouble. Whoever was with him spoke softly, likely much calmer than he.
“You monster! You can't do this to me!” Her father shouted in outrage, and she could picture the shade of red his face would be as he exclaimed. She set off down the stairs, heading towards the sound of her father's curses.
“Mr. French, your adamant nature is admirable, but I'm afraid you've given me no choice.” Said Mr. Gold, his hands neatly folded together atop the gold handle of his cane. He was dressed impeccably in a charcoal grey suit, his black dress shirt paired with a black and grey striped tie. Isabel had always found the pawnbroker to be rather attractive in a unique way, but she could count the number of times they spoke on one hand.
“Dad, what's going on?” Isabel asked, her concern evident in her tone. Her father's face reddened in humiliation, and Mr. Gold shifted so he was looking at her. She was slightly unnerved from the way he was staring at her. He resembled a cat who had just spotted a plump canary. He flashed her what seemed to be an attempt at a friendly smile, the gold in his mouth glinting in the light.
“Isabel, perhaps you should go back upstairs. Mr. Gold and I are discussing business.” He said quickly, not looking her in the eye as he nervously wrung his hands.
“I'm unopposed to her staying. Really, this influences her life as well as yours.” Gold said in a flat tone, shifting his weight slightly.
“What's going on, dad?” She asked again, her voice more forceful this time. “I deserve to know if it really will affect me.”
“Allow me. Miss French, your father borrowed a fair deal of money from me, and he has neglected to pay it back. The sum has steadily increased due to our contract's specifications of interest. Since he isn't paying against his debt or the rent, I'm in my rights to evict and take ownership of his shop. First order of business will be a change of name.” Gold said, his lips quirking up in amusement. Isabel gaped at him, her eyes wide with panic. She turned to face her father, anger flashing throughout her bright blue eyes.
“I gave you every cent of my pay. For rent.” She said quietly, looking up at him in betrayal. Her heart felt heavy and throat was dry, her small hands balled up into tight fists.
“Isabel, please, let me-”
“No. I don't want to talk about it.” She said firmly, folding her arms across her chest. She was dangerously close to shedding tears, and she wasn't about to do so in front of Gold. She turned back towards Gold, unsettled to find he was already watching her. “How much is it, Mr. Gold?”
“I'd be breaching my end of the contract if I told you.” He said in an even tone, tearing his gaze away from her to look at Moe.
“My girl can know. She deserves to.” He said. They both watched as Gold reached into his pocket, pulling out a gold fountain pen. He picked up the small notepad on the counter, writing the figures down. Isabel took it from him, gasping in shock as she read the sum over and over.
“Dad, how could you?” She asked in a shaking voice, finally tearing her gaze away and crumpling the paper into a small ball.
“You two certainly have a lot to talk about.” Gold began, tucking his own away and fanning his hand out. “However, I am a very busy man. You have until Friday to clear your belongings out.”
“Gold, you can't-”
“I can and I am.” Gold said hastily, holding a heated stare with Moe, his own gaze fairly subdued. He turned on his heel and began to walk to the door, his cane thumping on the hardwood floor.
“No, wait.” Isabel said softly, taking a few steps in his direction. He paused, turning around and looking at her curiously. “Is there any way you could give us more time?”
“There is hardly an us, m'dear. While it's rather unfortunate that you will lose your home over this, this is between your father and I.” Gold said in a surprisingly gentle voice, his eyes scanning her beautiful face. Isabel knew she was meant to follow the rest of the town in their fear of him, but she found she didn't fear him as a person. She only feared the destruction he was capable of causing to her little family.
“No, there is an us. I stand by my father even in his mistakes, and I will in this one. Please, there must be something I can do. I'll do anything.” She said thoughtlessly, not considering just how that could be used against her. His eyebrows lifted in surprise, a small smirk flirting across his face.
“You'll do anything.” He repeated, more emotion coating his brogue than she'd ever heard before. “Anything.” He drawled out, speaking as if he was tasting the words as they came out.
“Yes. Anything you want.” She said, refusing to flinch back as he stepped closer to her. He seemed to breath in a little more deeply, and he regarded her with interest.
“You'd make a deal with the devil and offer him anything? You're either foolishly brave or just plain naive.” He said in a smooth voice, leaning in more. She held her place.
“You're not the devil, you're just Mr. Gold. I know you're a reasonable man.” She said, more trying to reassure herself. And it was true. Gold was known for being ruthless, but his requests were always clear enough. He just tended to expect a lot with little leeway.
“But even a reasonable man could take advantage of being offered anything.” He pointed out with a sly smirk, shifting his cane between his hands.
“My offer stands. Someone once told me that a deal can always be struck between two interested parties.” She said, briefly trying to recall who had taught her that. The words were familiar, but the speaker was hazy. It was as if a thick fog settled over her memories of the moment, a thick and stifling fog she was nearly desperate to penetrate. Try as she might, she could not fish out the one she quoted from.
“That sounds like something I would say.” He murmured, tapping a long finger on his chin. “No matter. And why do you believe you have anything of interest to me?”
“I... There must be something.” She said in a small voice, lowering her gaze in embarrassment. The way he was looking at her made her feel like a small and insignificant little girl. She finally understood why the rest of the town was so intimidated by him. Mr. Gold the deal maker was intense, his eyes betraying no feeling besides superiority.
“Perhaps. Let's see... I require a few days to decide on what I want. But since the deal is anything, anything will be agreed to.” Gold said sternly, clearing his throat so she looked up. “I'll bring you a contract at the veterinarian's office tomorrow. In exchange for forgiveness of your father's debts, you will give me anything of my choice. You understand that you have to accept my terms regardless of how they displease you, yes?”
“Isabel! You cannot do this! I do not trust him, he'll take advantage of you!” Her father cried out in horror, laying a hand on her shoulder. “He's a monster.
Gold only smirked.
“You got us into this mess, and I'm getting us out. It's my choice.” She said firmly, not turning to look at him. She wasn't sure she could stand the sight of him in this moment.
“Well, Miss French?”
“Y-yes sir. As long as you will forgive my father's debt and be more lenient on the rent, then I will uphold my end.” She said, trying to keep her voice from shaking too noticeably.
“You drive a hard bargain, Miss French.” He said with an amused smirk. He then held out his hand. She took it, giving a firm handshake. He didn't let go even after, looking down in her eyes. “We have a deal, Miss French. I'll see you tomorrow with the contract. We'll go over it at noon.”
“That sounds great, Mr. Gold. I'll see you tomorrow. Thank you.” She said softly, flashing him a strained yet polite smile. He seemed conflicted for a moment, giving a slight shake of his head.
“Until tomorrow, dearie. Mr.French.” He said with a tip of his head, turning and opening the door. He let himself out, and Isabel watched as he limped out to his Cadillac.
“Isabel, you must tell him you've changed your mind! I don't trust him, not after seeing how he was looking at you.” Moe pleaded, gripping her by the shoulders.
“I trust Mr. Gold a lot more than I trust you right now. Why didn't you tell me? And what did you even need that money for?” She asked, suspicion seeping into her tone. She shrugged away his touch, looking at him with blazing eyes.
“Isabel, my darling girl, I-”
“Please, don't sugarcoat it. Just tell me.” She said in exasperation, her arms folded across her chest.
“Well... I'm not very good at poker. But I play often. I've borrowed from Gold often and... It just built up to become this massive debt.” He explained, sinking down at one of the dining chairs, burying his face in his hands.
“Gambling? Really, dad?” She sighed softly, leaning against the wall. Despite the brave front she had successfully put on, she was growing exceedingly nervous about the matter of anything, and she couldn't help but feel slight anger towards her father for getting her here.
“I know, I know. I made many mistakes and I never wanted you to know them. And now I fear I have cost you. Izzy, believe me, the man has ill intentions. The way he looked at you was predatory. Like you were a lamb and he a wolf. You can't do this.”
“It's been decided. I'm doing this. I've made a deal with Mr. Gold, and I will uphold it. No matter what.” She said solemnly, turning and heading back up to her room. She couldn't bring herself to return to her book, and she was fairly certain she'd be unable to focus on the text. She had just made a deal with the most feared man in Storybrooke. She didn't even know what it was he would demand of her, but she was fairly certain it was going to be a steep price. After all, it was a hefty sum of money, so it would warrant an equally hefty cost.
She decided then that she would contact Granny, the owner of the local diner, and see if she could take on a few shifts. At night they got fairly busy, and she was a close friend of her granddaughter. Throughout the years she had worked there sporadically, whenever they were strapped for help or she for cash. With her father gambling away money, it wouldn't hurt to bring in more in order to have a cushion of security. Since he kept secrets from her, she'd keep this money secret from him. Since Gold had said nothing about the rental agreement, she knew that meant he would still collect every month and she wanted to be ready to contribute any shortages.
But truly, she also had hopes to move out of her father's house and get her own apartment. She had been planning on doing so for some time, and his deceit only solidified her desire to branch out. She couldn't live under the same roof as man who had gotten their family into such a deep hole.
Despite the circumstances, her life had suddenly gotten a lot more interesting. She wasn't sure if it was a good or bad thing, but Gold's reputation said it was the latter. Regardless, she wasn't going to judge him until she knew him and what was inside him. Gold was a mystery to be uncovered, and she was looking forward to unraveling the man behind the mask.